Students made tourniquets out of belts, socks after ordnance exploded during hike – The Times of Israel
- A 14-year-old student, identified as Elazar Yair Wilensky, was killed and 24 others were injured on October 12, 2026, when an unexploded Hezbollah munition detonated during a school...
- Following the explosion, students on the trip provided immediate first aid to one another while awaiting the arrival of emergency services.
- Despite the difficult scenes and distress, the boys cooperated with me in an extraordinary way.
A 14-year-old student, identified as Elazar Yair Wilensky, was killed and 24 others were injured on October 12, 2026, when an unexploded Hezbollah munition detonated during a school hiking trip near the Israel-Lebanon border. The incident occurred near the Paar Lookout, roughly 50 to 100 meters from the border, as students from the ORT Ma’alot High School’s yeshiva program were traversing a densely vegetated area, according to reports from The Jerusalem Post.
Student-led medical response at the blast site
Following the explosion, students on the trip provided immediate first aid to one another while awaiting the arrival of emergency services. According to The Times of Israel, many of the teenagers utilized belts and socks as makeshift tourniquets to treat shrapnel wounds.
Despite the difficult scenes and distress, the boys cooperated with me in an extraordinary way. Each one tried to help his friend as much as he could, some even making tourniquets to stop the bleeding.
MDA medic
Circumstances of the Hezbollah munition discovery
Students present on the hike reported that Wilensky, described by peers as knowledgeable about weapons and military history, had ventured off-trail into a wooded area after spotting an object he believed was part of a missile. Yedidia Atia, a student who was on the trip, stated that Wilensky approached the object and began explaining its function to friends before it detonated. The New York Sun reported that authorities are now investigating why the school trip was authorized in an area known to contain unexploded ordnance.
The IDF stated that a preliminary review indicated the blast was caused by an unexploded Hezbollah cluster munition. The Jerusalem Post reported that initial evidence suggests one of the students may have picked up the submunition, which then exploded. While the IDF has identified the object as a remnant of previous conflict, it remains unclear exactly when the projectile was originally fired, according to CNN.
Casualties and medical evacuation
The incident resulted in one fatality and two dozen injuries. According to United Hatzalah, three students sustained serious injuries, while at least 10 others were treated for light-to-moderate wounds. The Israel Police and military forces deployed helicopters and ambulances to evacuate the students to three area hospitals. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the injured and their families at Rambam Hospital in Haifa on the evening of October 12, 2026, and ordered the IDF to reinforce warnings to the public regarding the dangers of touching unexploded ordnance.
Support for the affected school community
The Ma’alot-Tarshiha municipality has issued a statement mourning the loss of Wilensky, who was the youngest of five siblings. Mayor Moti Ben-David noted that the city is currently providing psychological support and welfare services to the families, students, and educational staff impacted by the tragedy. The Israeli Ministry of Education characterized the event as an extremely difficult incident, and teams remain on-site to provide emotional assistance.
